As one of the current interns for the RSC Marketing
department, one of my tasks for today was to venture into The Courtyard Theatre
and capture some pictures of the creation of The Other Place, the temporary
studio space being created for the Midsummer Mischief festival. It’s being made
on the stage of The Courtyard, and is still very much under construction (as
can be seen in the photos!).
Midsummer Mischief is a festival taking place from June 14th
until July 12th, and features a programme of four pieces of new
writing, presented in a double-header format (two for the price of one, what
more could you ask for?). The festival is to mark the 40 year anniversary of
the establishment of The Other Place, a radical studio space that was the brainchild
of legendary director Buzz Goodbody. Buzz was only 28 when The Other Place
opened in 1974, proving age really is just a number – take note young people.
Each of the four female playwrights has been asked to write
a piece of new writing in response to the statement: ‘Well behaved women seldom
make history’. When I first read the statement, I immediately wanted discuss
with anyone and everyone who would listen, and couldn’t even decide whether I
agreed with it or not! So I’m very excited to see what four very talented and
spirited women have created using this stimulus, and I think we can rest
assured it will be anything but well behaved.
Part of my role as intern has been to help come up with
bright ideas for ways to promote the festival online and through social media.
The Midsummer Mischief blog (http://theotherplaceatthersc.tumblr.com/)
is a great place to explore the festival and its fascinating history. As the
festival itself is so temporary, contemporary and exciting, we really wanted to
make sure the audiences are too (enter RSC Key members). This is such an
exciting project for the RSC, featuring four pieces of new writing in a
completely new theatre space, and what’s more it’s all accessible for RSC Key
members for just £5! Come and join us for your dose of summer mischief!